Computer input device

Abstract

A computer input device including a housing including a first side and a second side that is spaced apart from the first side, and a ball partially positioned within and rotatable relative to the housing. At least a portion of the ball extends through an aperture in the first side. The computer input device also includes a user-operable actuator accessible from the second side of the housing and configured to eject the ball from the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer input device comprising:
 a housing including a first side and a second side that is spaced apart from the first side, the second side configured to support the housing on a support surface; 
 a ball partially positioned within and rotatable relative to the housing, at least a portion of the ball extending through an aperture in the first side; and 
 an actuator extending through the housing and including a first end that is accessible through the second side and a second end that selectively engages the ball; 
 wherein the actuator is movable in a direction toward the aperture such that the second end engages the ball to push the ball from the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is movable between a first position, in which the second end is spaced apart from the ball, and a second position, in which the second end engages the ball to push the ball from the housing. 
     
     
       3. The computer input device of  claim 2 , wherein the actuator defines an axis that is perpendicular to the second side of the housing, and wherein the actuator is movable along the axis between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       4. The computer input device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator further includes a retaining mechanism that engages a stop surface within the housing to inhibit removal of the actuator from the housing. 
     
     
       5. The computer input device of  claim 4 , wherein the retaining mechanism includes a hook extending from the first end of the actuator towards the second end, the hook including an engagement surface that engages the stop surface. 
     
     
       6. The computer input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing mechanism that biases the second end of the actuator away from the ball. 
     
     
       7. The computer input device of  claim 6 , wherein the actuator is movable toward the aperture by exerting a force on the first end of the actuator to overcome a bias of the biasing mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The computer input device of  claim 7 , wherein the force is exerted in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the actuator and perpendicular to the second side of the housing. 
     
     
       9. The computer input device of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball support coupled to and extending from the first side of the housing, the ball support configured to rotatably support the ball, the ball support including an aperture that selectively receives the second end of the actuator. 
     
     
       10. A computer input device comprising:
 a housing including a first side and a second side that is spaced apart from the first side, the second side configured to support the housing on a support surface; 
 a ball partially positioned within and rotatable relative to the housing, at least a portion of the ball extending through an aperture in the first side; and 
 a user-operable actuator accessible from the second side of the housing and defining an axis that is perpendicular to the second side of the housing, the user-operable actuator configured move in a direction parallel to the axis of the actuator and perpendicular to the second side of the housing to eject the ball from the housing. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer input device of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator includes a first end that defines an actuating surface positioned within an aperture in the second side of the housing and an elongate member extending from the first end to a second end within the housing. 
     
     
       12. The computer input device of  claim 11 , wherein the first end of the actuator supports a biasing mechanism within the housing. 
     
     
       13. The computer input device of  claim 12 , wherein the actuator is movable between a first position, in which the second end is spaced apart from the ball, and a second position, in which the second end engages the ball to push the ball from the housing, and wherein the biasing mechanism biases the actuator toward the first position. 
     
     
       14. The computer input device of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator is movable from the first position to the second position by exerting a force on the actuating surface of the actuator to overcome a bias of the biasing mechanism. 
     
     
       15. The computer input device of  claim 10 , wherein the longitudinal axis is at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a plane defined by the first side. 
     
     
       16. A computer input device comprising:
 a housing including a first side and a second side that is spaced apart from the first side; 
 a plunger housing at least partially defined by the housing, the plunger housing having an opening positioned in the second side and a wall positioned within the housing opposite the opening; 
 a ball partially positioned within and rotatable relative to the housing, at least a portion of the ball extending through an aperture in the first side; and 
 a plunger including a first end that is positioned within and movable relative to the plunger housing and an elongate member extending from the first end to a second end through the wall in the plunger housing into the housing, the first end defining an actuating surface accessible through the opening; 
 wherein a force exerted on the actuating surface moves the plunger between a first position, in which the second end is spaced apart from the ball, and a second position, in which the second end engages the ball to remove the ball from the housing. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer input device of  claim 16 , wherein the elongate member defines an axis that is perpendicular to the actuating surface and the second side of the housing, and wherein the plunger is movable along the axis between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       18. The computer input device of  claim 16 , wherein the plunger further includes a first engagement surface that engages a stop surface of the plunger housing in the first position to limit movement of the plunger. 
     
     
       19. The computer input device of  claim 18 , wherein the plunger further includes a second engagement surface that engages the wall of the plunger housing in the second position. 
     
     
       20. The computer input device of  claim 16 , further comprising a biasing mechanism positioned between the wall of the plunger housing and the first end of the plunger, the biasing mechanism biasing the plunger into the first position.